Reflection and Prayer Series: God's promise

REFLECTION AND PRAYER SERIES.

Christ the Redeemer.
Reflection and Prayer Series Icon.

 

My reflection and prayer series is about sharing reflections and Prayers which have impacted upon me and have provided food for thought. I hope that they will also nurture your soul and spirit.

 

My post is called:

GOD'S PROMISE

 

God does not promise health and wealth and sunshine 
Or pain-free wish fulfillment to the blessed- 
But He does say He will shelter and sustain us. 
So that even in our struggles, we can rest.

Let us remember His promise to us during this coming week. 

 

Commandment to Love Series: Practice patience, kindness and gentleness to myself

COMMANDMENT TO LOVE SERIES.

 

Practice patience, kindness and gentleness to myself
 

My commandment to love series over the next 10-12 weeks focuses on how I can love myself in a practical manner this week and keep the commandment to love.

 

In this series I will focus on one idea that we can use in whatever it suits to accomplish a more rounded version of ' as yourself'.  I hope you will journey with me in this series.

 

So my sixth intention for feeling good about myself this week is as follows:

 

 This week I will practice being patient, kind and gentle with myself.

 

 

How will make my intention tangible?  There are endless ways just as we are all unique.

However, as a starting point, I will first 

• spend some prayerful reflection time with God to consider how God sees patience, kindness and gentleness. I will consult with scripture as a special guide.
• Re-read my 'positive list about me' each day in my prayer time and add at least one extra positive each day.
• Affirm each day that I am able to be patient, kind and gentle with myself because it is the loving thing to do for myself.
• write down any opinions that I have both positive and negative about patience, kindness and gentleness 
• Seek God's forgiveness in the sacrament of Reconciliation for the times I have not been patient, kind and gentle with myself.
• Thank God for the times I have been patient, kind and gentle with myself since it is only possible because God has made it so.

Why do I want to do this?  I want to make progress with this sixth intention because: I want to keep the commandment to love more fully. Practicing this commandment means that I love myself as God loves me. Accepting that I need to be patient, kind and gentle with myself shows that I have the desire to love myself more fully, and in loving myself I will in turn be patient, kind and gentle with others.   

 

Remembering that I desire to be perfect just as my Heavenly Father is perfect is a worthwhile goal. I also need to be realistic and remember that I am in the process and at times, I fail to love myself as God loves me. When I fail to love myself, I need to explore why this is so, but I need to remember God loves me. He sees and knows me and loves me for who I am. God is ready to forgive me, but am I ready to forgive myself?

 

Let us keep the commandment to love 'as yourself’ by practising to be patient, kind and gentle with ourselves.

 

Let God who is patience, kindness and gentleness be our teacher.

 

 

 

Compendium Series: Revelation of God's name Part 2

COMPENDIUM SERIES.

Jesus the Teacher: Compendium Series.

40. Why is the revelation of God’s name important? (CCC 206-233)

Compendium states:

In revealing His name, God makes known the riches contained in the effable mystery of His being.  He alone is from everlasting to everlasting.  He is the One who transcends the world history. It is He who made heaven and earth. He is the faithful God, always close to his people, in order to save them.  He is the highest holiness, “rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4), always ready to forgive. He is the One who is spiritual, transcendent, omnipotent, eternal, personal and perfect.  He is truth and love.

 

 

What does this mean for me?

1. Make a list of God’s riches which he has made known in revealing His name. (eg God is creator, God is faithful, God is close to his people) Add to this list as you discover more about God.
2. At times of praise and times of adversity, call to mind the riches that God has revealed in His name. Use it to praise and in times of adversity and/or temptation.

Questions to consider:

1. What names do I give to God which resonates in my heart?
2. Do I bear God’s likeness by always being ready to forgiv

 

About the Mass Series: Sanctus Part 1

About the Mass Series: 

Sanctus Part 1

‘Holy, Holy, Holy Lord,

God of power and might.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the Highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 

Hosanna in the Highest’.

This acclamation is best sung if possible because singing emphasises the spirit of praise.  The First half of the acclamation Holy…glory’ comes from the Book of Isaiah, (Chapter 6), whilst the second half-‘Blessed is he’… was the greeting given to Jesus by the people when He entered into Jerusalem before his suffering and death (Matthew chapter 21).The hosanna is an exclamation of joyful and trustful welcome.

As we ponder the words of this prayer, we may indeed reflect what these words mean to us on deeply personal level.

REFECTION THOUGHTS

• ·Who is this God of power and might in our personal faith journey?
• ·How is Heaven and earth full of glory for you?
• ·Where are the sacred places (the ‘heaven’ on earth for you- the oasis places)?
• ·Where do you identify earth being full of His glory?
• ·Who are the people in your lives who are blessings for you coming in the name of the Lord to you?
• ·When Jesus comes to us (in the circumstances of our lives through and in other people), do we  joyfully welcome Him?
• ·Do we say the words without connecting with them?

 

Hopefully, these reflective thoughts may enable you to dwell prayerfully on these precious words. 

 

Gospel of Matthew Series: chapter 4: Jesus is tempted, and begins to preach the Good News

GOSPEL OF MATTHEW SERIES

Gospel of Matthew series icon.

Chapter 4: Jesus is tempted, and begins to preach the Good News

In the narratives of the baptism, the mission of Jesus is described, He is to be the Servant.  The three synoptic gospels also narrate the temptation of Jesus, the temptations against this mission.  Jesus' stay in the desert recalls that of the chosen people, the desert in the Bible is the place of trial and of nearness to God.  The answers by which Jesus rejected the temptations are taken literally from that privileged situation of Israel.  

 

The Servant of God par excellence cannot perform a miracle on his own behalf or seek after worldly domination or make an extraordinary request of God. Jesus did not come to search of success; His mission was to be a 'servant'.  In our churches this passage from the Gospel is read at the beginning of Lent, the time of preparation for the paschal feast; every year it invites us to purify our attitude to the faith.

The second half of chapter 4 relates to Jesus' mission. You will note that Jesus fasted first, then was tempted by the devil (vs 1-11). Then He then began to preach 'Repent for the kingdom of God is close at hand'. After preaching this simple but powerful message, He then began to call the disciples, the two pairs of brothers-Simon and Andrew, and James and John.  As His fame became known, He also ministered to the people in need of healing from all kinds of diseases. In other words, Jesus prepared himself for His ministry by fasting and prayer, and experiencing temptations of the devil. We too need to strengthen our resolve in the ministry that Jesus has asked of us to be ready to serve by appropriate preparation.

ACTION PLAN FROM CHAPTER 4

This week as we reflect on chapter 4, we may wish to:

• Consider how the devil tempts us and how we reject his invitation to sin.
• Consider our ability to fast to strengthen our souls. It is important to take
• on what is practical, since not everyone is physically able to fast from food without becoming sick. If you know, like myself that fasting from food is impractical for health reasons, then consider other ways of fasting.
• Consider marking off in the diary time for a retreat. Even a retreat at home is possible if time is set aside and family respect and are supportive of our needs.
• Consider our vocation and what Jesus has called us to do.  How do we encourage others to follow Jesus?
• Consider how we can bring the ministry of healing to others whether through intercessory prayer and/or through the gift of healing that we may possess. How can we continue the healing mission of Jesus?
• How does our action plan compare with Jesus? 
  
  May Chapter 4 inspire us to consider how we are continuing the ministry of Jesus and to follow His action plan-preparation of soul through fasting, experience trials and temptations of the devil, before preaching the Good News and engaging in ministry of healing.

 

Opening Prayer Series: 6th Sunday Year A

Opening Prayer Series:

The Mass: Opening Prayer Series Icon.

OPENING PRAYER 6th Sunday Year A

 

The Opening Prayer for the Sixth Sunday of Year A reads as follows:

Let us pray

(that everything we do will be guided by God's law of love)

God our Father,

You have promised to remain for ever 

with those who do what is just and right. 

Help us to live in Your presence. 

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for this week, the following reflection questions emerged.

1.            What is God's law of love?

2.            What does God's law of love entail for me this week ( name specific
           areas)

3.            What would you say to someone who asked you 'Why do bad things
           seem to happen to good people' in the light of God's promise to remain
           with those who do what is just and right?

4.            How will I live in His presence this coming week?

5.            What challenges may divert my attention from living in His presence
           this week?

6.            What does living in His presence mean for me?

7.            How often am I aware of His presence in my life and how do I show
          God gratitude for it?

8.            How might I be aware of God's presence in my life this week?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

In today's Gospel Jesus teaches his disciples (and us) some of the sermon on the mount. In each of the teachings, Jesus compares the past and reminds them what they have heard from their ancestors first, and then gives them His teaching. In each of these teachings Jesus is really saying 'such was said to your ancestors, but I am speaking to you.' It is as though Jesus is trying to wake up the disciples by the contrast.

 

Yet when we look at what Jesus is really saying in today's Gospel, it seems to be a fuller aspect of some of the ten commandments. They are still obligatory not optional.  We, like the disciples need to have a jolt, a wakeup call to examine our behaviour.  We may be tempted to think that we do keep the commandments. For example, we usually do not go around killing someone.  However, can we say that we have not killed desiring revenge, being angry with another person and refusing to be reconciled with them? We are not only hurting the other person, but we are killing the life of grace in our souls and in the process committing serious sin. The same applies to the other teachings that Jesus has given us. They relate to the commandments and in not keeping them, we commit sin, losing favour with God.

 

During this week then, we may wish to reflect on this gospel and pull out the teachings from the text. Perhaps we may wish to write them down in a place where we can see (e.g., fridge, car) or carry it with us in our wallet. Then we do not need to remind ourselves what our ancestors said, but rather what Jesus is saying to each of us personally. You may find that in writing them down, one (or more) may be particularly relevant to you at this present time. You may decide on a corrective course of action to follow what Jesus is asking in your life.

 

May this week's gospel be a source of hope and spiritual growth for us all.

 

Reflection and Prayer Series: I Give You Thanks

REFLECTION AND PRAYER SERIES.

 

Christ The Redeemer: from Pixabay.com
Reflection and Prayer Series Icon

 

My reflection and prayer series is about sharing reflections and Prayers which have impacted upon me and have provided food for thought. I hope that they will also nurture your soul and spirit.

 

My post is called:

I GIVE YOU THANKS

 

For every dear, familiar face in my life...
every smile, every touch, every grace...
for every gift of the day, no matter how commonplace it may appear...
I give You thanks with every breath I take.

Let us be joyful in God our Saviour during this coming week.